How to Pay Bills in Korea When You Can't Read Korean

Every month, you'll get your utility bills^* by mail or notifications on your phone. Each bill (management fees, health insurance premiums, and phone bills) comes in a different format, making it hard to figure out how much you owe and where to pay by when. In this article, we'll guide you through how to find the payment amount and due date on each bill, and how to pay your bills through the Toss app.

*In Korea, bills are commonly called 고지서 (goji-seo).

Types of Monthly Bills in Korea

There are three main bills to manage each month in Korea: building management fees (관리비), health insurance premiums (건강보험료), and phone bills (통신비). Which ones apply to you depends on your living situation and employment status.

*If you're employed, health insurance premiums are automatically deducted from your paycheck.

Understanding Your Utility Bill

Korean bills can be overwhelming—it's hard to tell what's what. But you only need to check three things: the amount due, the due date, and the payment method.

1. Maintenance fee (관리비)

• Amount: The number next to '이번 달 납부금액 (당월부과합계)'
• Due date: Provided as 'O월 O일까지'
• How to pay: Transfer the payment to the bank account number or QR code printed at the bottom of the bill.

2. Health insurance premium (건강보험료)

• Amount: Printed in large text at the top of the front page
• Due date: The 10th of the following month (For example, an April bill is due by May 10.)
• How to pay: Transfer the payment directly to the virtual account number on the bill, or pay through the The건강보험 app’s '보험료 납부' tab.

3. Phone bill (통신비)

Phone bills are usually sent by text or email, not by mail.

How to Pay Your Utility Bills Online

Each bill is paid to a different provider. Maintenance fees go to your building office, health insurance premiums to the national health service, and phone bills to your carrier. With Toss, you can handle them all in one place.

1. Maintenance fee (관리비)

Payment methods vary depending on your housing type.

• If you live in an apartment (아파트): Register your building information once in Toss, and payments will be made automatically every month. ✅ How to set up: Toss app → [All] → Search [Apartment Maintenance fee] → Register your address and set up auto-payment.

  

• If you live in a studio, officetel, or villa: Transfer the payment to the virtual account number printed at the bottom of your bill. The account number may change each month, so be sure to check your bill before transferring.

2. Health insurance premium (건강보험료)

Find the electronic payment number (전자납부번호) on your bill and enter it in the app. You can do the same with your national pension, employment insurance, and industrial accident insurance payments as well.

✅ How to pay: Toss app → [All] → Search [Pay taxes and bills] → Search [통합징수보험료] → Enter your electronic payment number and pay.

3. Phone bill (통신비)

In your carrier's app, select 'Toss Bank auto-transfer' or 'Toss card auto-payment’ as your payment method. Your bill will then be paid automatically each month.. Your bill will be paid automatically every month from then on.

✅ How to pay: Toss app → [All] → [Public & Government] → [Pay Your Phone Bill] → Register your carrier.

Managing your utility bills in Korea can be confusing, but Toss makes it easy to take care of them all.

*This guide is based on information as of 2026. The payment method and due dates may vary depending on your building, carrier, or national health service policy. Always check the instructions on your bill.

Written by 유서진 Graphics by 조수희